Radiator seal



N. L. BROOME RADIATOR SEAL Oct. 10, 1933.

Filed Aug. 14, 1931 zl eillor L. Browne, awwfitaud flii'ys.

J? .ZVbruuzn 29% Z M 822x33 Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to circulatory systems of the kind commonly utilizing a circulating fluid comprising water or other liquid capable of liberating or otherwise evolving within the system gases such as oxygen which may combine or coact with materials forming the walls of conduits for passages to cause deterioration thereof. The cooling water systems of internal combustion engines are representative of systerms of this general class. In these systems decomposition, as by oxidation, may continue indefinitely as the circulating water may be effective substantially continuously for 'dislodging or carrying away the products of decomposition usually in the form of relatively hard, sharpedged particles or flakes which, due to their abrasive characteristics, are responsible for considerable wear on various parts of the system, particularly on working or relatively rotatable parts such as the packing of a pump, necessitating frequent adjustments or replacements thereof. Moreover boiling or vaporization of the circulating fluid also causes objectionable losses thereof, especially when using alcohol or like solution.

Objects of the present invention are generally to improve the efiiciency and operation of systems of this general character by. providing for overcoming various undesirable features such as those just mentioned; to provide for preventing conditions which are conductive to the formation or liberation of gases within these sys terns; to provide for adequate expansions of the circulating fluid and for avoiding losses thereof; to provide a device for these purposes which may be readily attached to standard systems and which may be of simple, efiicient and yet strong and durable construction consisting of few parts which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble; and also to provide a device of this kind having an improved construction and relative arrangement of parts.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile engine equipped with a device for sealing the cooling water system thereof;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the sealing device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 44 of Fig. 2.

According to this invention oxidation or other action caused by liberation of gases as well as objectionable losses of circulating fluid may be avoided by conducting the overflow from a circulatory system to a condenser arranged to communicate with a reserve or supply chamber through a liquid seal disposed between the lower ends of these chambers. Vapors or gases enter ing the condenser may thus be condensed and returned to the system which is at all times effectively closed against ingress of outside air by the liquid seal. Preferably the supply chamber is vented to atmosphere so that the liquid seal may function during abnormal or unusual expansions to permit gaseous media to escape through the liquid in the supply chamber, to atmosphere. As the circulating fluid cools, liquid from the supply chamber may be drawn through the liquid seal and the condenser back into the system to replace any liquid which may have been lost during excessive expansion.

The embodiment of the invention selected for illustration as shown in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 comprises inner and outer shell members 11 and 12 spaced to define an inner supply chamber 13 and an outer annular condensing chamber 14 extending between the shell members. A closure member or cap 16 is fitted in fluid tight relation against the upper ends of both of the shell members so as effectively to close the upper portions of the inner and outer chambers 13 and 14. As shown in Fig. 2 the inner chamber 13 may also have an outturned flange at its upper end to hold'the two chambers in concentric relationship. The outer shell member is fitted with a lower closure member or cap 17 forming a bottom for the annular condensing chamber 14. The inner shell member 11 has a closure or bottom 18 preferably formed integral therewith as shown. This inner closure member is provided with a suitable opening 19 which with the space between the lower closure members or bottoms 17 and 18 provides a passage 21 between the lower ends of the inner and outer chambers. A cooling coil 22 is dispersed within the inner shell member adjacent the lower end thereof. One end of this coil, as the end 23 (Fig. 4) extends through the shell 11 into the chamber 14. The other end 24 of the coil may conveniently extend through the bottoms 1'7 and 18 of both shell members to the exterior of the device for connection to a flexible tube or hose 26. The inner chamber 13 is provided with an overflow connection in the form of a tube 27 extending vertically through the bottom'closure members 1'? and 18 into the inner chamber 13 preferably to a point in close proximity to the upper closure or cap 16. A perforate bafile 28 which may be concavo-convex in form, as shown, is disposed about the upper end of the tube 27 and affixed to the under side of the upper closure member. This upper closure member also has a filler opening closed by a plug 29 which in the present instance is equipped with a gauge rod 31.

This device may be mounted in any suitable location, preferably by means of a bracket comprising a band 32 clamped about the outer shell 12 and having a depending leg 35 secured to the engine 33. This type of bracket relieves the device from engine vibration. The hose 26 is connected to the usual overflow connection 34 of the radiator 36. To fill the device or to replenish losses in the system the plug 29 is removed and water 01' other suitable liquid is poured into the chamber 13. When the device is entirely empty it will be evident that air in the outer chamber 14 will be entrapped by water passing through the opening 19 in the bottom of the inner chamber. This entrapped air increases the pressure in the outer chamber and depresses the water level therein below that of the inner chamber. As soon as the level in the outer chamber rises above the coil 22 the latter is flooded and serves to conduct Water through the connection 24, the hose 26 and the'overflow 34 into the radiator 36. When the cooling system has been drained or when it requires a relatively large quantity of water it may also be advantageous to remove the cap 37 to expedite filling by supplying water directly to the radiator as usual until the radiator is substantially full when the cap should be'replaced. However, when replacing ordinary losses of circulating water the cap 37 should be kept closed to seal the system at this point and water supplied as needed through the inner chamber 13.

During operation of the engine steam or other vapors given off by the circulating fluid and normally passing through the overflow 34 are conducted through the cooling coil 22 into the outer condensing chamber 14. The relatively large exterior surface of'this chamber provides for rapid cooling of these vapors and this action is also facilitated by the presence of water in said condensing chamber. It will be apparent that the passage comprising the opening 19 in the inner bottom 18 and the space between the inner and outer bottoms 1'8 and 17 providesa liquid seal betewen the inner and outer chambers which is efiective at all times for preventing the admission of outside air to the circulatory system of the engine. Vapors passing to the condensing chamber 14 displace the entrapped chamber will create a vacuum which will be effective for drawing water or other liquid substantially to the top of this chamber, so, that it is entirely filled with liquid, as shown in Fig. 2. As the liquid in the circulating system cools,

the decrease in, volume thereof causes water to be drawn into the end 23 of the coil and back into the radiator. When vapors are generated more rapidly than they'can be condensed in, the outer chamber, these vapors may escape through the opening 19 and pass through the overflow 27 to atmosphere. The baflie member 28 functions to prevent liquid from splashing out through the overflow 27 during movement or vibration of an automobile to which this device may be attached. The large cooling surface of the outer chamber, together with the action of water in this chamber, as well as the preliminary cooling eifected by coil 22, is suificient to condense alcohol or like anti-freeze solutions during winter driving so that practically no replacements of these solutions are required during this season. During warmer weather when the circulatory system is supplied with Water or other suitable liquid, it is usually unnecessary to add any liquid Whatever to the system, even after long intervals of normal use as the condensing device is effective for retaining liquid in the system.

An important advantage of this device is that the inner chamber 13 provides a reserve or storage supply for replenishing any loss of circulating fluid and also cooperates to seal the system against ingress of air. This precludes liberation of gases Within the system and avoids oxidation of interior parts so that it becomes unnecessary to flush out the system at frequent intervals. Furthermore, water drawn from a system equipped with this device even after a long period of use shows no visible evidence of oxidation.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a condensing chamber having a fluid cooled surface, a supply chamber, a passage between these chambers below the liquid level thereof to provide a liquid seal therebetween, means for conducting 2. A device of the class described comprising ,w

an inner supply chamber, an outer condensing chamber having an air cooled surface, a passage between these chambers below the liquid level thereof to provide a liquid seal therebetween, means for conducting fluid from the overflow connection of a circulatory system through the supply chamber to the condensing chamber at a point near the lower end of the latter, and an overflow connection from the upper portion of the supply chamber.

3. A device of the class described comprising inner and outer shell members spaced to define an inner supply chamber and an outer condens ing chamber, means cooperating with the shell members for closing the upper ends of both of these chambers, means cooperating with the lower ends of the shell members to close the lower ends of these chambers, the latter means providing a passage between the chambers below the chambers, means cooperating with the lower ends of the shell members to close the lower ends of these chambers, the latter means providing a passage between the chambers below the liquid level thereof to form a liquid seal therebetween, a cooling coil disposed within the liquid space of the inner supply chamber, means for conducting fluid from the overflow of a circulatory system through the cooling coil to the condensing chamber at a point near the lower end of the latter, and an overflow connection from the upper portion of the supply chamber.

5. A device of the class described comprising inner and outer shell members spaced to define an inner supply chamber and an outer condensing chamber, the latter having an air cooled surface, a closure member fitting the upper ends of both shell members for closing the upper portions of the chambers, means cooperating with the shell members to provide separate bottoms for the chambers, the bottom for the inner chamber being spaced above the bottom for the outer chamber, the inner bottom having an opening so that the space between the bottoms may form a passage between the chambers, a connection for conducting the overflow from a circulatory system to the condensing chamber at a point near the lower end thereof, and an overflow connection from the upper portion of the inner supply chamber.

6. A device of the class described comprising inner and outer shell members spaced to define an inner supply chamber and an outer condensing chamber, the latter having an air cooled surface, a closure member cooperating with the upper ends of both shell members to close the upper portions of the chambers formed thereby, spaced closure means for the lower ends of the shell members arranged to provide a passage between the chambers, an overflow connection extending through the spaced closure means into the upper portion of the inner chamber for discharging fluid therefrom, and means for conducting fluid from the overflow of a circulatory system to the condensing chamber at a point near the lower end thereof.

7. A device of the class described comprising inner and outer shell members spaced to define an inner supply chamber and an outer condensing chamber, the latter having an air cooled surface, an upper closure member cooperating with the upper ends of both shell members to close the upper portions of the chambers formed thereby, spaced closure means for the lower ends of 4 the shell members arranged to provide a passage between the chambers, an overflow connection extending through the spaced closure means into the upper portion of the inner chamber for discharging fluid therefrom, a perforate bafile carried by the upper closure member and disposed about the upper end portion of this overflow connection, and means for conducting fluid from the overflow of a circulatory system to the condensing chamber at a point near the lower end thereof.

8. A device for sealing the circulatory system of an internal combustion engine comprising a condensing chamber having a fluid cooled sur face, said condensing chamber being normally filled with the liquid circulating medium of said system, a supply chamber partially filled with the liquid circulating medium of said system and exposing the free surface of said liquid to a vapor space in the upper portion of said supply chamber, means for passing fluid from said condensing chamber into said supply chamber at a point below the surface of the circulating liquid in the latter chamber to provide a liquid seal between these chambers, said means also providing for reversal of flow to pass liquid from said supply chamber to said condensing chamber, means for conducting fluid from the overflow connection of the circulatory system of an internal combustion engine to said condensing chamber at a point near the lower end thereof, and means for venting the upper portion of said supply chamber to atmosphere.

9. A device for sealing the circulatory system of an internal combustion engine comprising an inner supply chamber partially filled with the liquid circulating medium of said system and exposing the free surface of said liquid to a vapor space in the upper portion of said supply chamber, an outer condensing chamber disposed about said supply chamber and having a fluid cooled surface, said condensing chamber being normally filled with the liquid circulating medium of said system, means for conducting fluid from said condensing chamber into said supply chamber at a point below the surface of the circulating liquid in the latter chamber to provide a liquid'seal between these chambers, said means also providing for reversal of flow to pass liquid from said supply chamber to said condensing chamber, means for conducting fluid from the overflow connection of the circulatory system of an internal combustion engine to said condensing chamber at a point near the lower end thereof, and means for venting the upper portion of said supply chamber to atmosphere.

NORMAN L. BROOME. 

